Eye-cleaner.



Patented Apr. 23, 1918.

Dn. l

Dnnv.

EEA

ONM DHA HLF.

CCM

SEF

CEO

yio

f nivrransraras erreur OTTO CARL SCHBOEDER, OF DETRIT, MICHIGAN.

svn-emanan.

rasante.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, U'rTo C.' Soi-inononn, a citizen of the United States, resid-ing at Detroit, in the county of llVayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new `and useful improvements in Eye-Cleaners; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and use the same. p

rlhis invention relates generally to medi cal appliances, and more particularly to new and useful improvements in eye cleaners.

The primary object of the invention isV to provide an instrument by which extraneous matter such as dust and dirt may be removed from the human eye without injury to the Yeye or annoyance to the person.

Another object of the invention is to generally improve upon devices of this class by the provision of an extremly simple, strong, durable and inexpensive construction, one which will be eiiicient and reliablein operation, and well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed. v

With these and other objects in view, the invent-ion consists of certain novel features of construction, and the combination and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafte fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of the application:

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of a device constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. V2 is a side view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the same; Y

Figs. l and 5 are transverse sectional views taken on the planes indicated by the lines 4-4 and 5-5 respectively of Fig. 1; and Y Fig. 6 is an elevation of the casing.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral l designates a handle having a threaded portion 2 and a ring 3 by which the device may be connected to a watch chain or the like. Fixed to the handle 1 and projecting longitudinally of the same is a cleaning bar or element 5 having a core or spine l extending centrally through the same. The spine e is formed of resilient metal, while theimember 5 is formed of a resilient and flexible substance, preferably i Speccatonof Letters Patent. i Patented Arpt. 23,191@

' l, application ered may 10,191?. serial no. 167,790. Y Y l of rubber, and is tapered from `itsinner toward its outer end.' The edges of the member 5 are grooved as at 6, and one side 7 of said member is convex while the other side 8 is concave. i

l/Vhile it is desirable to use the spine l as a stiener, yet it is to be understood that this may be entirely omitted without `departing from the principle of the invention. A casing 9 of any suitable material may be used to inclose the cleaner, this casing being provided with a retracted mouth adapted to receive the threads 2 of the handle l.

In using a device constructed as above described, the sides and edges of the member 5 are moistened in any suitable manner, but preferably by placing it in the users mouth for a moment, and then drawing the eyelid back and passing it back and forth across the eye, the resiliency of the various parts of the member allowing it to bend to conform to the shape or surface of the eye. rFhe member 5 is always held in such relation to the eye so that its concaved side 8 will contact with the surface of the same. The saliva or other moisture on the surface of the member 5 will cause the particles of dust or other extraneous matter to adhere to the latter and be collected in the grooves in the edges of the member as it is passed over the eye. The

rubber from which the cleaning member 5 is made Vhaving smooth surfaces will not injure the eye in any manner whatsoever.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with `the accompanying drawing, the construction and use of the invention will be readily understood without a more extended explanation.

As various changes in form, proportion and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of this invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to limit myself to the precise construction herein shown and described.

ll claim:

1. An eye cleaner adapted to be inserted and moved transversely between the eyelid and the eyeball, said cleaner comprising' a relatively flattapered stem of flexible nature to permit it to curve longitudinally around the eye ball, one side of said stem being con cave throughout its length for free movement over the ball without injuring the samefand the opposite side of said stem being convex throughout its length for simi- -Vthe veye ball, one side ofl said stem being concave throughout its length for free movement over the ball Without injuring the same, and the* opposite side of said stemv .being vconvex throughout its length for simil lar engagement with the eyelid, the edges of Copies of this patent may be obtained for the stem each having a longitudinal groove Whose sides are located substantially at the corners of said stem, said grooves extending throughout the length of the stem and being adapted .to collect extraneous matter between the eyeball and eyelid.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of tWo subscribing witnesses.

OTTO CARL SCHROEDER.

Witnesses:

CHARLES J. SToLL, CEAS.' P. BLEWIT, Jr.

ve cents each, 'by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

